Tuesday of the First Week of Advent

Today's Scripture

Today’s Gospel reading reminds us that we must become childlike if we wish receive Jesus, because it is to the childlike that Jesus has been revealed (Luke 10:21). This means we need to relearn how to have the filial trust that children have in their parents. We need to exercise that kind of childlike trust in God. At the end of today’s Gospel passage, a link is made with the first reading for today, when Jesus explains how many prophets and kings desired to see His coming (10:24).

The first reading is one of the most moving accounts foreshadowing Jesus’ arrival at that first celebration of the Nativity, in the cave stable under the inn at Bethlehem. The Prophet Isaiah foretells that a “shoot” shall come from Jesse, David’s father (Isaiah 11:1). The Spirit of God shall be upon Him (11:2). He shall be a “little child” and a guide (11:6). Importantly, He shall be “a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious” (11:10).

The initial dwelling of the child Jesus, the smelly, dirty, cave used as a stable in Bethlehem was glorious: Within its walls dwelt the God of the universe in human flesh, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and St. Joseph His foster-father. It is in the glorious humble stable that the Gentiles (the Magi) came to seek Jesus’ dwelling.

Today, let us try to become more childlike in our faith. This does not mean becoming childish. No, a mature faith is not childish, but childlike: complete abandonment to God. Let us ask our Mother Mary to help us learn to become like her Son. Mary is our model of childlike faith. When times get rough, when things get stressful, let’s place our trust in God, that He will help us to do what needs to be done.

- Jeff Morrow